Daily Devotional

Power and Control

Devotional Navigation

Read

“When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” Matthew 2:3

Think

When Herod heard that a new king had been born, he went on tilt. In his mind and heart, there was no one on earth or in heaven who held a higher position than himself. He had placed himself on the throne of his life and refused to relinquish power and control to anyone, including Jesus – the newborn King.

Have you placed yourself on the throne of your life? Are you holding on to power and control with a white knuckle grip? The reality is that we aren’t designed to be our own king. God, in His sovereign wisdom, has placed us on earth in order to worship Him. It is only when we give up power and control to Him that we discover the purpose and potential of true power and control in our lives.

Pray

Ask God to reveal any area of your life that you have refused to surrender to Him. Ask for humility and clarity as you seek to give Him full control.

Act

Write down one area of your life that you need to relinquish control of to Jesus. Today, and tonight, remember Jesus was born to become the King of our lives. Do what you need to do – give Him full control.

Subscribe to Daily Devotionals

Read

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’” Matthew 2:1-2

Think

When confronted with the birth of Jesus, the Magi, Herod, and the religious leaders all had different reactions. The Magi were intense in their pursuit of Jesus. They had heard about Him and sought Him with all they had. They overcame difficulty, distance, distraction, and danger all so they could bow at the feet of the newborn King.

We have an opportunity every day to be intense in our pursuit of Jesus. But during this season, how often does that pursuit get put on the backburner because of all the distractions? Don’t allow the busy-ness of this Christmas season to distract you from the purpose of this Christmas season. Set your eyes on the Savior and do all you can to pursue Him today.

Pray

Admit to God where you are lacking in your pursuit of Him. Pray for the determination and discipline to focus on Jesus, especially when other things begin to distract you.

Act

Take time today to get away from the distractions. Turn off your phone (yes, there’s an “off” function), get away from your normal activities, and simply take a few minutes to pray for God to remind you of what this season is all about!

Read

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:12

Think

The miracle motivates movement! Christmas season is a time when we remember what is truly important. We reflect on what we have been blessed with. We take time to focus on the greatest gift ever given – the gift of Jesus Christ. But the miracle of Christ’s birth isn’t something we should reflect on just during this time of year. The fact is, the gift of Jesus Christ is something that should motivate us to move every day of our lives.

If you have accepted the free gift of salvation through Christ, you have a responsibility to allow that gift to motivate you. You should be motivated to live differently than you did before. You should be motivated to seek God with all your heart. And you should be motivated to reach out to the world around you and introduce them to that same gift.

Are you motivated for movement this Christmas season?

Pray

Thank God for the greatest gift that was ever given. Pray for the determination to move forward in your life to reach others with that gift.

Act

Write down the name of someone you know who needs to meet Jesus. Use today to reach out to them and invite them to join you at Fellowship Church on Christmas Eve!

Read

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” - James 5:16

Think

A popular poll found that many of us are very picky about who we will pray for. For instance, the poll revealed that we typically pray for:

82% of the time: Family and friends

74% of the time: Our own problems and difficulties

37% of the time: Our enemies

21% of the time: Win the lottery

13% of the time: Victory for their favorite sports team [source: Christianity Today]

The Bible is how God clearly communicates His will for your life. Prayer is how you speak clearly to God. You have access to speak to the God of the Universe today. He longs to hear from you, and he cares about every detail of your life. Are you praying? What are your praying for?

Maybe you’re wondering HOW to pray.

Pray Continually – Invite God into every situation of your life. Pray as you go, wherever you go.

Pray Strategically – Use this acrostic: P.R.A.Y.Praise – Thank Him for who He is, what He’s done, and what He’s promised to do.Repent – Admit the ways you have sinned against Him and commit to change.Ask – Ask for His help, wisdom, and action in your life and the lives of others.Yield – Express your trust in Him and surrender to His plan for your life.

It has been said that prayer is not a means to control God; it is a means to allow God to control you.

Pray

Ask God to help you understand the power of prayer.

Act

If necessary, develop a new determination to prayer. Make it a priority today by finding a strategic time where you can clearly speak to God.

Read

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” - Hebrews 10:25

Think

It is said that President Abraham Lincoln carried with him a newspaper clipping stating he was a great leader. Social media is filled with memes and pictures with posts about self-encouragement. Why? Everyone needs it!

Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you. That’s what the song you’ll hear kids sing, but it’s simply not true. Words have the power to build up and destroy. It’s important to remember their power when it comes to being encouraged and to encourage.

The Church is to be a place where people gather to be encouraged by God and by one another. God knows that you need a weekly infusion of courage for the week you face which is why He encourages you to regularly meet with the people of the Church. Church works! It’s a place where encouragement can be found so that you can be inspired to live the life that God has called you to live.

Pray

“God help me to live a life open to others. As I share my life with others, help me to live life that will please you and inspire others. Help me to speak words of encouragement. Words that build up and not tear down.”

Act

Be attentive to what you say today. Be deliberately encouraging. Be the tool that God uses to INFUSE COURAGE into someone today.

Read

“Outdo one another in showing honor.” - Romans 12:10

Think

“Show me the man you honor and I will know what kind of man you are. “ - Thomas Carlyle.

Honor has an old school ring to it. It’s something that many imagine kings and lords would offer to one another. In our culture today, it seems like it is an old word for a time past. Yet, it is now that one needs to think about it and practice it all the more. Like a precious stone, it seems something more and more scarce, and yet more and more wanted.

We often like being honored, we enjoy being loved and praised. There is a great feeling in being recognized and appreciated by those around you. But maybe you feel like those moments are few and far between. Why? Again, honor is scarce.

The Bible tells us to honor up (God), honor down (those “below” us), and all around (our equals). Everything goes better with honor. Honor is something we give, not something someone deserves. Don’t hold back in giving honor, because there are very few times in life that it will be accompanied with regret.

Pray

Ask God to help you get UNDER those things God has put OVER you so you can get OVER those things God has put UNDER you. Ask him to help you realize that honor is the key that helps us understand authority in your life.

Act

Instead of waiting to be honored today, is there a way you can honor someone you see every day? Actions speak loudest but never underestimate the power of words spoken with sincerity. A life lived with honor is a life lived well.